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Etymology
The origin of the word "travel" is most likely lost to history. The term "travel" may originate from the Old French word travail. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the first known use of the word travel was in the 14th century.
Purpose and motivation
Motives to travel include pleasure, relaxation, discovery and exploration, getting to know other cultures and taking personal time for building interpersonal relationships.
Travel safety
Authorities emphasize the importance of taking precautions to ensure travel safety.When traveling abroad, the odds favor a safe and incident-free trip, however, travelers can be subject to difficulties, crime and violence.
The Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism has continued to be a critical sector for economic development and for sustaining employment, in both advanced and developing economies.
The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index
The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) aims to measure the factors and policies that make it attractive to develop the T and T sector in different countries.
jeudi 31 mars 2016
Discovering Tulbagh through speed-marketing
Only a 90-minute scenic drive from Cape Town
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Swedish tour operator sets new standard for responsible tourism
Tourism has the power to change the nation.
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mercredi 30 mars 2016
NewLeaf Gets OK For Ultra-Low-Cost Service In Canada
NewLeaf Travel Co., which planned to introduce ultra-low-cost air service to Canada, got the go-ahead from the Canadian Transportation Agency to proceed with its launch without an air license.
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mardi 29 mars 2016
Age Matters: Different Ages Have Different Preferences In Wellness Travel
Outdoor adventure programs and ecotourism matter significantly more to Millennials and Gen X than they do to Baby Boomers.
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lundi 28 mars 2016
Brussels Airport Remains Closed
Officials will run trials on Tuesday to test out passenger flow.
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samedi 26 mars 2016
vendredi 25 mars 2016
Brussels Travel Update: Airport Closed Through Weekend
Brussels Airport will remain closed through the weekend as investigators continue to collect forensic evidence after Tuesday’s attacks.
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jeudi 24 mars 2016
HC summons CS, Comm/Secys
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 24: Terming the approach of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) and other departments as ‘adhoc and in-sensentive’ over conservation of Dal Lake from encroachments and pollutants, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court today summoned the Chief Secretary and three Commissioner Secretaries before the court.
The Division Bench of Justice MH Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey sought personal appearance of Chief Secretary and other three Commissioner Secretaries of the State before the court on in the first week of April. “We direct the Chief Secretary of the State, Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department, Commissioner Secretary Tourism Department and Commissioner Secretary Finance & Planning to remain present before the court on next date”, reads court order.
“It was highlighted that for last almost 14 years this court has been issuing directions, but the desired results have not concretized till date. It was admitted across the board that this issue would require to be settled once for all”, said the court.
Court also directed the Joint Secretary Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India to remain present before the court on next date with the observation to find out the permanent and stable via-media to preserve the lake from destruction and extinction.
Court also issued notice to various hotel owners and General Managers including Centaur Hotel, Grand Palace and Director SKIMS Hospital to show cause as to why their hotels be not closed for violating the provision of law. “These authorities are directed to show cause as to why their business establishments are not closed for noncompliance with the statutory provisions”, court directed.
Court also asked the Advocate General of the State to appear in the case on next date as he was asked on last date of hearing to evolve some mechanism for putting on place a ‘permanent mechanism’ for preservation of various water bodies including that of Dal lake.
Court also observed that there is a lot of deficiency of infrastructure in LAWDA and it is beyond their control to deal with the issue as they (LAWDA) were supposed to save the Lake on their own but they are waiting for court directions and despite that court observed that “nothing seems to be achieved on ground level”.
Court also observed that it has to be self starter on part of LAWDA instead of waiting court directions. “It is there (LAWDA’s) baby to protect, preserve and conserve the lake not the baby of court as they (LAWDA) are under this impression that the matter is before the court but complete ‘adhoc and insensitive’ approach on part of LAWDA.
Court deferred its effective consideration on the matter till presence of CS and Commissioner Secretaries including Joint Secretary of Tourism and Culture Union of India so as to find out the everlasting solution for protection and preservation of the lake.
It is worthwhile to mention that the Lakes and Waterways Authority (LAWDA) has already in its compliance report filed before the court expressed its inability to deal with the encroachers who have encroached the famous Dal Lake and submits that Land Mafia is making wrong impression in general public against LAWDA.
In its compliance under and in terms of court directions as the court is monitoring the safety of the Lake, the Vice Chairman of LAWDA states that the authority is facing a lot of difficulties and opposition against clearing the lake from encroachments.
He has mentioned in the report that the authority is lacking manpower in its enforcement wing while making demolition drive against illegal and unauthorized constructions in and around the Dal lake as there is a stiff resistance from the general public.
Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by a Law student about the protection and conservation of world famous tourist destination Dal lake.
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Kohli appointed as CAT chairman
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Hurriyat for Indo-Pak talks
NEW DELHI, Mar 24:
Moderate Hurriyat Conference today said that both India and Pakistan need to engage in “serious” and “result-oriented talks” to settle all issues pending for decades, including Kashmir, and hoped that the composite dialogue announced during Foreign Secretary-level talks will be a “milestone” in realising this dream.
After his meeting with Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit here , Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told reporters, “We have time and again demonstrated that we are not against talks between the two countries and in fact we sincerely believe that dialogue is the only mechanism with which the two countries can solve all issues.”
The Mirwaiz, who was accompanied by several separatist leaders, including Abdul Gani Bhat and Maulana Abbas Ansari, made it clear that Kashmir-specific Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) need to be taken by India and Pakistan.
“Any tough posturing by either side will do no good to ensure peace and stablity in South Asia. And while talking about Kashmir, both the sides need to keep in mind that aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir need to be taken into account,” he said.
To a question on their claims to be representative of Kashmiri people, he said, “First of all its not a claim and secondly, if we have no support base, then why is Kashmir an issue between India and Pakistan.”
He said the special investigation team (SIT) coming from Pakistan in connection with Pathankot airbase attack was an important step.
“I hope that both the countries work together seriously and nail the culprits behind the attack on Pathankot airbase. Such forces were detrimental to the ongoing peace process between the two countries,” he said.
The Mirwaiz regretted that the meeting of Hurriyat Conference leaders with Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit was seen by some quarters in the country with suspicion.
“Come on, I wonder where has all the wisdom vanished. We are trying to bring India and Pakistan closer and these people label us as traitors and what not. Finding storm in a cup of tea is unwarranted,” he said.
On Government formation in the State, the Mirwaiz said, “The issue is not about building roads and bridges in Kashmir. Its about finding a permanent settlement and I am only hoping that the two countries understand the need of hour and get engaged in a serious and result-oriented dialogue to settle all issues.”
The Mirwaiz also expressed the hope that the Narendra Modi Government would now carry forward the spirit of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision of settling the dispute within the parameters of humanity.
“We have always welcomed the dialogue process between India and Pakistan. We hope the two counties would evolve the ways and means to include the people of Kashmir in the composite dialogue process as we firmly believe the vision of Vajpayeeji would be carried forward in which he had said that the Kashmir issue should be settled within the parameters of ‘insaniyat’ (humanity) which is much bigger than the parameters set by the Constitution,” he said.
Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, along with his set of leaders, met Basit in the afternoon, ahead of this meeting. (PTI)
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Vyas to be CEO WB Project
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 24: The Government today ordered that B B Vyas, Financial Commissioner, Planning and Development Department, will be Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Project Monitoring Unit of the New World Bank Project on ex-officio basis.
Meanwhile, Altaf Ahmad Khan, Programme Officer, ICDS Project, Srinagar was transferred and posted as Joint Director, J&K Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development, against an available vacancy.
Mohammad Yousuf Mir, Joint Registrar, Cooperatives (Hqr), Srinagar will hold the charge of the post of Programme Officer, ICDS Project, Srinagar, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.
Rehana Akhtar Bijli, Under Secretary to the Government, Tourism Department has been transferred and posted as Administrative Officer, Services Selection Board, Division Office Jammu vice Shamim Ahmad Kraipak, who will report to the Tourism Department for further posting.
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LeT wanted to kill Thackeray: Headley
MUMBAI, Mar 24:
Pakistani-American terrorist David Headley today told a court here that LeT wanted to eliminate Bal Thackeray but the person who was assigned the job to kill the late Shiv Sena chief was “arrested” but he managed to give police a slip.
The 55-year-old, who has turned approver in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, stated this during a cross-examination on the second day by Abdul Wahab Khan, the lawyer of Abu Jundal, an alleged key plotter of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, via a video link from the US.
Headley also told the court that he had visited the Sena Bhavan twice. He, however, did not specify the year for the same.
“We (LeT) wanted to target the chief of Shiv Sena…His name was Bal Thackeray. LeT wanted to kill him wherever a chance arose. I knew that Bal Thackeray was the head of Shiv Sena. I have no first hand knowledge but I think an attempt was made by LeT to kill Bal Thackeray,” he said.
“I don’t know how this attempt was made. I think the person (who was sent to kill Thackeray) was arrested but he managed to escape from police custody. I don’t have first hand knowledge about this though,” he said.
Headley, convicted in the US for his role in 26/11 Mumbai attacks, also told special judge G A Sanap, who is hearing the 26/11 terror case against Jundal in a sessions court here, that he does not know who else was a target of LeT apart from Thackeray.
When asked by Khan as to how much money he had spent on his visit and reconnaissance in India prior to 26/11 attacks, Headley said, “I am not sure… Many lakhs were spent by me not as high as Rs 30-40 lakhs but much much less. It is correct that ISI spent this money but it is not correct that I demanded the money from them.”
Headley said that after the 26/11 attacks, when he had come to India again (in March 2009) at the behest of Al-Qaeda to carry out further attacks, its leader Illiyas Kashmiri gave him about Pakistani rupees one lakh.
He claimed while LeT came under the scanner of international community after the November 26, 2008 attacks, it was not correct to say that LeT became “soft” towards India.
“I think they (LeT) became soft about Denmark (Mickie mouse project) but not India. After the Denmark issue (LeT backing out from attacking Denmark) I went to Al-Qaeda, as LeT had become soft,” Headley told the court.
Headley told the court that while he had not personally met any of the 10 attackers in the 26/11 case but he had seen the photo of one of the attackers on internet and identified him as Ajmal Kasab ‘Rehmatullah Aliah’.
When asked by Khan as to why did he put the words ‘Rehmatullah Aliah’ after Kasab’s name, Headley replied, “When a person is dead he should be prayed for whether he is good or bad. One should pray for the person…To be forgiven. I don’t know if Kasab was good or bad as I didn’t know him.”
When prodded by Khan if what Kasab had done (by participating in 26/11 attacks) was good or bad and if the act of 26/11 was good deed or a bad deed, Headley said, “Of course the act of murder is not going to be a good act. Any kind of murder of innocent person is a bad act.”
Khan then asked him if he was ‘happy and satisfied’ with the damages in the 26/11, to which Headley said “this is an argumentative question. Kush the yeh bhi galat jawab hai, Kush nahi the yeh bhi galat jawab hai, (I was happy is also a wrong answer and I was not happy is too a wrong answer). What can I say ?”
Headley also told the court that in the 26/11 case (in which he has been awarded a 35 years sentence by the US court), supervised release is also part of his sentence.
“As per the US law, I have to compulsorily undergo 85 per cent of my sentence and I don’t know if my sentence can be terminated before completion of 85 per cent sentence.”
He also told the court that within half an hour of his arrest by FBI he had started cooperating with them and gave them all information. Headley also said that he was also interrogated by a team of NIA officials from India and he had cooperated with them too.
“It is not correct that NIA questioned me about my wife Shazia’s involvement in 26/11. I did not give any information about Shazia as she had no role..She was not part of the conspiracy,” he told the court.
Headley also got into a verbal spat with Khan when the lawyer persistently questioned him about Shazia, his former wife Faiza and their knowledge of the 26/11 terror attack.
“The communication between me and my wife Shazia and Faiza are privileged and private and it is none of Mr Wahab’s interest,” Headley told the court.
The LeT operative however clarified that Shazia was not working for the terror outfit but said that he (Headley) does not know if her father was working for Pakistan’s ISI.
At one point of time, an irked Headley even asked Khan if he would say where his father works.
This happened after Khan had put forth barrage of questions to Headley like if Shazia had hatred towards India, if she objected to his association with LeT, if she encouraged or appreciated him for his links with LeT, if she had objected to his visit to India in 2009 and if he had revealed to Shazia about all information about 26/11 attack.
On Faiza, Headley clarified that even she was not aware of the 26/11 plan and hence had not objected to him video graphing Taj hotel when they had visited India together prior to the attacks.
Headley also said that Faiza had approached LeT founder Hafiz Saeed requesting him to ask him (Headley) to take her back as he had divorced her.
Khan also asked Headley in Hindi, “did Faiza approach LeT operatives to make you stay away from terrorist activity as she wanted to ‘save her suhaag’ (husband) “.
To this Headley said “Suhag bachana yeh sab dialogue hai koi Hindi film ka … Unko pata hi nahin mein kya kar raha hoon toh sawal hi nahin aata ki muje in sab se bahar nikalna (Saving suhag is a dialogue from Hindi films.. She (Faiza) did not know what I am doing so there is no question of her asking Hafiz about dissuading me from the terror activities).”
When Khan asked Headley if his shops in Dubai are being looked after by LeT, the latter said ‘its only in your fantasies.’
On one occasion, when Khan asked if Headley was satisfied with the 26/11 attacks, he berated the lawyer and said, “fizool ki bate kar rahe ho aap..Jo marzi hai aap bolte jara he hai…Bewakoofoon se sawal kar rahe hai (you are speaking unnecessarily..You are uttering whatever you want and asking foolish questions )”.
Khan then said that as a lawyer he was just doing his job, to which Headley said “Lag nahin raha hai..Chalo theek hai (does not seem so.. But its ok if you say so)”. (PTI)
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Governor directs time bound action on LAWDA issues
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SAC Chairman seeks Azim Prem Ji foundation’s help for promotion of elementary edu
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PM reviews progress of land records digitization with CS
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PDP president Mehbooba Mufti addressing party leaders after she was elected as its Chief Ministerial candidate at Fair View Gupkar in Srinagar on Thursday. (UNI)
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BSF IG, Jammu Frontiers, Rakesh Sharma meeting jawans in Samba sector.
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BSF and Rangers exchange sweets along IB in Samba sector.
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Governor N N Vohra chairing a meeting at Jammu on Thursday.
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Prime Minister, Narendra Modi during video conferencing with J&K Govt officers.
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Union Ministers Chaudhary Birender Singh, Jual Oram, Dr Jitendra Singh and Prakash Javadekar, along with RSS General Secretary Suresh “Bhaiyaji” Joshi, releasing Vision Document for Janjatis / Scheduled Tribes of India at New Delhi.
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J&K SAC Chairman Justice B A Khan felicitating Azim Prem Ji.
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Beneficiaries posing with cheques on Thursday.
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Jewellers raising slogans during protest rally at Jammu on Thursday.
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Zonal Head of J&K Bank, Kashmir Central-II,Tasaduq Ahmed inaugurating new business unit in Ganderbal on Thursday.
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Ill-fated vehicle after accident near village Puneja -Excelsior/Tilak Raj
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NC leader and Member BCCI, Ankush Abrol and other dignitaries inaugurating Holi Cup T20 Cricket Tournament at Mandal in Jammu.
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Winners of Tennis Ball Cricket titles posing alongwith dignitaries and officials at Green Field, Gandhi Nagar on Thursday.
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GPF withdrawal cases
Sir,
This is in reference to the news in this paper regarding GPF withdrawal cases lying pending in Govt Treasuries.
I fully appreciate the good step taken by the Governor that GPF withdrawal cases be cleared. Such good steps are expected only in Governor’s rule and not from popular Govt.
In popular Govt, you will get only plenty of hollow promises and nothing more. You see the height of that a person who subscribes every month some hard money in his GPF account for bad days has to wait for pretty long time to get his dues when he applies for their withdrawal.
In this rule we also expect the release of revised pensions to widows, aged people and transparency in Transfer policy as well as good governance. The amount to be spent on these elected members/Ministers shall be saved and 6 percent DA in cash shall be released at the earliest.
Yours etc…
Rakesh Sharma
Greater Kailash
Jammu
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Remove roadside silt
Sir,
We are the residents of Trikuta Nagar Jammu residing on either side of irrigation canal near Jammu Tawi railway station face problems.
As the Tawi irrigation canal is closed for annual maintenance and desilting by way of removing accumulated silt. The same is going to start soon as a routine matter. It has been observed during the past years that the desilted material is dumped along both the sides of canal which keeps lying there along the road for weeks together making our life and living miserable as the dust and pollution fly all around making the breathing extremely difficult.
This highly unhygienic, polluted, foul and stinking desilt carries bacteria, infected germs and viruses to spread carrier infections like lunginfections diarrhoeas, typhoid, jaundice, pneumonias, dengu, swine flu and tuberculosis, etc..
It is worthwhile to mention here that there are young women in family way, newly born babies and ailing senior citizens, and the silt carrying infections may prove dangerous and cause serious health problems for them.
It may be mentioned here that few years back there was good practice of removing the silt directly loaded in the load carriers.
The initiative by the department to clean the canal is appreciable step, but dumping the dirty, polluted, unhygienic silt is not welcome by one and all.
It is quite appreciable that national green tribunalal has widened the ambit of cases in rising pollution in all the states including J & K and has directed the Civic bodies and Public authorities to put a check on air pollution caused by dust.
A proper permission from the Authority competent to grant the same is to be required by your department before dumping desilt on the roadside.
It is desirous on the department not to pollute and damage the environment by putting the extracted waste material and silt of Tawi canal on the road sides.
We are hopeful that that action may be taken in this matter.
Yours etc….
Ashok Chandra
Trikuta Nagar
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Shaktiman triggers a debate
Bhopinder Singh
As the white Kathiawari mare Shaktiman backed away in self-defense from the alleged assaults by a lawmaker and his associates in Dehradun, one of her hind legs tragically caught the railing, resulting in a horrific injury that might ensure it never recovers. Ensuing politics of blame-game and “brownie-point visits” to see the injured animal aside, absurdity hit a new low with the lawmaker naively suggesting that he only “snatched” a stick from the policemen on duty and had not physically hit the animal – however, theconsequences and the apparent spirit displayed in taking law into your own hands never crossed the mind of the lawmaker (imagine the audio-visuals of the same incident, had it been a regulation gun instead of the regulation danda that the lawmaker had snatched?). The incident also showcased the hollowness of actual implementation of the law that mandates having the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAs) in every district, SPCA exists in Delhi only. However, a parallel narrative questioning the logic of mounted police (with allusions to the practice as a colonial-era legacy), merits debate and defense.
The link between soldiers and horses goes back to the pre-Iron Age period, the trust, mobility and distance afforded by the mount has been immortalized in history from our own Chetakto the fearless horse manship of the marauding Cossacks. Even the fabled Cavalry owe their origin to the French cavalerie (‘Cheval’, horse). However, with the advent of technology the armies abandoned their sabres and started conversion of its horsed regiments to mechanized/tank cavalry.In fact, the 61st Cavalry Regiment of the Indian Army is the largest non-ceremonial horse-mounted cavalry unit remaining in the world – it did undertake mounted patrol tasks in the Indo-Pak war of 1971. Within the DNA of the 61st Cavalry is ancestry of Jodhpur Lancers who in 1918, led, possibly the finest cavalry charge in history with just lances and swords, these cavaliers decimated the heavily armed and fortified Turks that counts amongst the greatest cavalry charges and is celebrated annually as the “Haifa Day”. Today, the role and relevance of the horses and mules in the Army is redefined to doing yeoman service of hauling loads and critical provisions in inaccessible high mountain areas, besides the ceremonial roles and contribution to equestrian sports by regiments like the 61st Cavalry and the President’s Body Guards. The Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) is the 236 year old service that is responsible for the breeding and training of the Indian Army’s equine and canine resources. The relevance of the horse for the Army is reduced, but still very relevant and irreplaceable at many fronts.
Similarly in Police functions, while the roles for horses have reduced and the cost of maintenance have made it difficult to sustain the earlier scale, sight of mounted police in New York City, London to Sydney is ubiquitous,world over. Like in the Dehradun incident, primarily the mounted police are deployed for crowd control situations like protests – empirical data pointing to high efficacy of the same with minimum damage to either the assemblage of people or the horses, as raised by some concerned activists and the lawmaker concerned in Dehradun. It is believed that in such crowd control situations, a mounted policeman is as effective as 7 to 10 policeman on ground. However, on a day to day basis, high-visibility patrols in areas that are inaccessible to motorized transportation like parks, narrow lanes and unlevelled areas makes mounted police effective for policing purposes. It is a scientifically proven fact that their highly visible presence can deter urban crimes and have a reassuring presence for the public. Rand Europe in partnership with Oxford University conducted an extensive study to assess the qualitative and quantitative indicators of the value of mounted police in various scenarios and the same study confirmed higher levels of visibility, trust and confidence in neighbourhood settings that were patrolled with mounted police. Critically, mounted police was said to evince six times more casual public engagements and interactions in equivalent time versus foot patrols, alluding to the sensitive empathy and connect that is invaluable in a public-police relationship.
That said, constraints like the inability to respond swiftly to basic policing requirements like emergency calls and the inherent danger of causing injury inadvertently to the mass in front has often led to the half-truth of “show horses”, which are used only for ceremonial purposes. Actually, the New York mounted force is an elite and much sought after unit that is actively and very usefully deployed for daily policing operations. These “10-feet-tall cops” afford a preventive outcome with the added heights and visibility allowing the mounted policemen to assess the situation deeper into a crowd, as also conversely positing the presence of the law enforcers in a melee of a large gathering. With proper training, requisite equipment and established charge procedures, the incidents of collateral damage have been negligible and in fact figures suggest higher crowd control ability by the mounted police as opposed to policemen on foot.
Any concerns on the work conditions and the health of the horses used in either the Army or the Police Forces is allayed by the apparent physicality and the institutionalized ration, care and upkeep procedures that are part of the operational norms in such institutions – as opposed to horses and mules that are seen to be working as transportation carriers, draught animals or even for marriage purposes, where the exploitative conditions are borne out by the apparent sight of the animals health. There are estimated to be 1000 horses in the mounted police across India (with overall numbers for horses sharply declining by 24% as compared to 20 years back, in India) – besides invaluable policing service, these bastions are keeping alive the Indian breeds like the Marwari, Kathiawari etc. which have seen a worrying trend with the advent of mechanization of transportation.
The real question in the Dehradun incident is one of identifying the perpetrator of the brutal attack on Shaktiman, and the final verdict on the same is still out there – irrespective of the name, party or political allegiance, the age old adage about a horse;”Let the horse teach you about yourself, for you may be at the age where no one else can”, rings so true for the perpetrator!
(The author is former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry.)
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
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Agriculture retirees appeal to Governor
Sir,
We the retirees’ of erstwhile Agriculture Department make a fervent appeal to the Governor of Jammu & Kashmir to address our grievances, we the retirees’ of Agriculture Department recruited in 1972 and after retired on the same post on which recruited as ‘Agriculture Extension Officer or equivalent’ (Gazetted Cadre). We got no lifetime promotion due to non-settlement of seniority/DPC issues which is still pending as on date. Half hearted interim arrangement by placing junior ineligible officers’ on top positions without merit and seniority has given rise to dissatisfaction in the Department. Ineligible officers are taking recourse to litigations and mis-information in corridors of power to protect their adhoc positions. Best efforts of present Commissioner Agriculture does not seem to bear fruits due to official bottlenecks.
We therefore appeal to yourself to personally intervene to sort out DPC/Seniority issues of Agriculture Department so that at least after retirement we get due pensionary benefits, we are in dire need of.
Yours etc….
Kuldesh Chander Sharma
All Retirees’
Welfare Form
Jammu
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Snakes in the backyard
Harsha Kakar
The last few months appeared to bring forth the prospects of talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. In Jan and Feb, there were two meetings of the core group in Kabul, with the promise of resumption of talks pushed by Pakistan. Sartaj Aziz, the Foreign Affairs advisor of Pakistan announced in the US recently, that since the Taliban leadership is located in Pakistan and their families reside there, the Pakistan government does possess power over them. However, the Taliban turned down the offer for talks. This action changed the dynamics of the region and affected a number of nations including India.
For Pakistan, which had hoped that it could place part of the Taliban leadership in Kabul or have them govern some provinces of the country, this has come as a setback. Pakistan has always considered Afghanistan as its strategic depth. It would now look at other options including strengthening the possible Taliban summer offensive. The worry for Pakistan is the secure base that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or more commonly known as the TTP, which targets them continues to have in Afghanistan. The TTP has made suicide attacks and bomb blasts a daily occurrence in Pakistan. Increased operations against them, have only slowed down their pace of attacks, but not stopped them.
The US has been involved in Afghanistan since the attacks of 9/11. It has been leading a NATO force to rid the country of the Taliban. It has known from the start that it could never win the battle and hence was seeking a honourable exit. Though it had announced its withdrawal, however, the resurgence of the Taliban compelled it to reassess its plans. The cancellation of the talks has been a setback. The US has been pumping in arms and aid to Pakistan, with the hope that it would bring the Haqqani network and the Taliban under control. Though this action has been objected both within the nation and from India, it has continued pumping good money after bad, with no success. The possible summer offensive would be an indicator of the future andin all probability would only prevent them from withdrawing completely.
For China and the Central Asian Republics (CAR), the prolonging of the conflict only increases the rise of terrorism and militancy in their regions. Afghanistan would continue to be a feeding ground as also a safe sanctuary for terrorists, spreading their ideology in their home countries. President Putin had warned CAR nations earlier to expect an enhancement of terrorist activities on their soil. For China, whose Xinjiang province militants gain support and training in Afghanistan, this Taliban decision would increase its commitments in Xinjiang.
India has been enhancing its investment in Afghanistan. It has become a major contributor to development projects within the country. In addition, it isinvestingin the development of the Chabahar port in Iran to create an alternate route to Afghanistan and the CAR, bypassing Pakistan. India has also gifted three MI-35 Helicopter Gunships to Afghanistan to strengthen its battle against the Taliban. Thus the cancellation of peace talks would affect India’s investments in the country and its future plans of playing a greater role in the region.However, it has to continue its engagement, such that if peace does come, India would end up as a major player.
For Afghanistan, the approaching summer, would bring greater bloodshed and problems. The nation’s security forces are already over stretched. It has still not been able to regain the southern districts of Sangincaptured by the Taliban in the winters. An enhanced Taliban offensive in the coming months, with a possible increase in suicide attacks would only enhance those displaced and result in loss of territory to them. It can only hope for some respite, if the various factions increase their internal struggles for domination and power, rather than engage the state and its population.
In this quagmire of confusion is the rising power of the IS. It has begun to gain ground and increase its support base. Though the Taliban has launched an offensive against it, however, it still continues to grow. It could soon begin spreading its tentacles in the region and affect a larger area employing its brutal methodology of dealing with its enemies.
The Taliban obtains its finances by indulging in production and movement of drugs. This has affected nations around the region with impacts all the way to the western world. The more provinces it brings under its control, the greater the production and greater the availability at cheaper rates.
The geo- strategic location of Afghanistan enables it to cast a wide influence over the surrounding region. It is surrounded by volatile nations and thus instability in Afghanistan creates instability in the region around it, resulting in an unstable Eurasia. It thus becomes imperative for nations which possess influence and power over Pakistan to push the country to bring the Taliban to book. Pakistan’s fears that if pushed the Taliban may turn inwards, which could only add to their problems, an issue they should have been prepared for. Hillary Clinton, while she was the Secretary of State stated, “You can’t keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbours. Eventually they are going to turn on whoever has them in their backyard”. The world has to force Pakistan to act, irrespective on whether the snakes turn on them or not, if an entire region is to be rid of militancy.For starters, the US should stop all supplies of arms and aid, unless Pakistan forces the Taliban to adopt peace and come to the negotiating table. Such an action is the need of the hour.
(The author is a retired Major General of the Indian Army )
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
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Blood Banks
The importance of JK State Information Commission (JKSIC), a statutory and autonomous body is not fully known or introduced to the people of the State. People need to know that Section 16(8)(9) of the J&K RTI Act, makes it mandatory for the public authorities to adhere to the recommendations and directions given by the State Information Commission in various matters brought to its notice. Perhaps even some Government functionaries, too, are not fully aware of the powers and jurisdiction of the Information Commission. That could be a reason why no serious attention is paid to the directives and instructions of the Commission. However, ignorance of law is no excuse and if any organization of the Government wants to plead innocence about the laws, this cannot be an alibi behind which they will seek shelter.
A precise case of disregard of the instructions of the Commission has come to surface which deals with a very important matter of public interest. While dealing with a case under Right to Information Act, the State Information Commission found that Health and Medical Education Department had not responded to its instruction issued in November last in regard to making blood available to the needy persons in a state emergency. State Information Commission had then noted with serious concern that people are made to run from pillar to post to get blood in case of emergency mainly because the present system of blood collection and transfusion was not as effective and timely to save human life as was necessary. The Commission had directed the Health and Medical Education Department to devise a mechanism of interconnecting all the blood banks of the State into a single network so as to provide information vis-à-vis the availability of group wise blood in different hospitals of the State. So far the said Department has not reacted to these instructions and the Information Commission, naturally took serious note of it.
At present, the Health and Medical Education Department has not systematized network of blood banks in the State so that those in need of blood transfusion in a state of emergency would know at a glance where the blood is available and of which group and all relevant information. Transfusion of blood generally takes places in critical cases of injury etc. The sooner the blood is made available and transfused the chances of saving precious lives are brighter. But the situation on the ground is that our State has no such system under which updated information in regard to availability of blood would be at hand for the needy persons. In the instructions issued to the Health and Medical Education Department, the Information Commission had cited the example of the State of Odisha as a model of networking blood donation as well as blood transfusion centers in that State. Unfortunately, the Health and Medical Education Department has taken no cognizance of the urgency of establishing a network mechanism for procuring and transfusion of blood. It has been revealed that medical experts including the Principal of SKIMS, Srinagar had also emphasized upon the Department to take necessary steps of establishing blood banks and coordinating their functionality. All the recommendations have fallen on flat ears. The condition in district and rural hospitals is worse. There is no arrangement of blood procurement and transfusion and more often than not patients are shifted either to Srinagar city or to Jammu city for treatment and blood transfusion in Government hospitals.
Another related issue about which the Information Commission has taken serious note is regarding the display of the list of medicines available for distribution in the hospital to the patients. There is a complaint that usually, while hospitals are provided some essential medicines and drugs, these are scarcely available to the patients who need them. The Information Commission is of view that it is incumbent upon hospital authorities to display the list of medicines that are made available to the patients either free of cost or on reduced price. The Commission had issued instructions to the Department in April 2014. But now it is given to understand that nothing of the sort is happening. This is unacceptable and all responsibility comes to the doorsteps of the Health and Medical Education Department. We fail to understand how and why the concerned Department is unmindful of its responsibilities and succumbs to negligence allowing precious lives to be lost although. Almost all States have established blood banks and coordinated their activities. Ours is the only State that has chosen to remain outside the pale of this public service. We very strong recommend that the Department of Health and Medical Education takes urgent steps to implement the recommendations of the Information Commission and save precious lives.
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horocope
Friday Mar 25-2016
Aries : Today, you may receive some kind of material support from family. It is probably for a wise cause, so be sure to use it accordingly, says Ganesha. You may spend the evening with those very loved ones who have supported you.
Taurus : There is a strong prospect that you will work extremely hard to prove yourself at your workplace today, predicts Ganesha. At times, the returns may not be in proportion to your efforts. You will unwind at the end of the day with a happy and content feeling, expects Ganesha.
Gemini : Family comes first for you, and today will be no different. You will be preoccupied by thoughts of providing comforts and luxuries to your family members, says Ganesha. At the workplace, your ability to take initiatives will benefit you. A grand dinner with those close to you is also on the cards.
Cancer : Early today, you may spend a great deal of time thinking about your career and future, predicts Ganesha. In the afternoon, you will device a plan on how to go about it, and by evening, you may even put the plan into action. You will spend some time with the near and dear ones.
Leo : Today is one mushroom that may turn out to be unpalatable, says Ganesha. The stars indicate that this day shall be smeared with quite a few unsatisfactory moments, especially in the afternoon. A certain sense of wildness and volatility shall dominate your actions today. So, you would be wise to take valuable inputs and advice from your seniors at work today. But in a complete change, the night brings with it a guzzling fountain of rational thoughts that shall fill your mind.
Virgo : Domestic responsibilities will rule the roost today. Subordinates will offer the best of their support to you. But remember that the value of what you seek will exact the maximum efforts on your part. Be wary of people, counsels Ganesha.
Libra : Some things on the personal front may undergo a turning point today, predicts Ganesha. Now is the time for change. Changes are good and maybe even needed, although you may not see it that way at the moment. Expect monetary gains that will help you go a long way in life (a handsome bequest perhaps!). Think with your heart, and attach importance to relationships. Spending quality time with your near and dear ones is a very good habit, reminds Ganesha.
Scorpio : Small problems and tiny things will keep you on your feet as you tackle them with tact and precision. On the family front, you will enjoy marital bliss as you communicate on a spiritual level with your partner. You may end up planning a romantic vacation for the near future. On the whole, it will be an animated and lively day, says Ganesha.
Sagittarius : Trouble is brewing, foresees Ganesha, and there is a strong possibility of you being caught up in it real bad. But as things progress, you will become high-spirited and noble-minded. Later in the day, a cozy time spent with friends and family will bring much peace and calm.
Capricorn : Many a time, we emulate others or get inspired by certain thought-provoking actions which explains most of the initiatives we undertake. Your actions today will be inspired too, says Ganesha. However, later in the day, you are likely to get into arguments that may drag you into legal disputes. Ganesha warns you against getting pulled into any scuffles at work that can ruin your future prospects.
Aquarius : Money ahoy! You are blessed with the Midas touch today, and you need to take advantage of it! Competition will be left far behind as you zoom off into the skies of success. But watch out for the envious ones, warns Ganesha, who are ready to pull the rug from under your feet at the slightest excuse.
Pisces : While your day at work ought to begin with a whirlwind of creative ideas and suggestions from your side, you will run out of juice by mid-day, says Ganesha. Perhaps, it is time to take a short break over the weekend from work to recharge your batteries.
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BOJ board debated rolling back negative rates -March mtg summary
TOKYO, Mar 24: Bank of Japan policymakers engaged in heated debate on the pros and cons of their decision in January to adopt negative interest rates, with one even saying it was preferable to roll it back, a summary of their opinions at the March 14-15 rate review showed on Thursday. “It’s preferable to roll back the negative rate policy. But abandoning it immediately after introducing it would cause market confusion and risk eroding trust in the BOJ. With the effects (of the policy) still not clear, we should maintain the policy,” one of the nine board members was quoted as saying. (AGENCIES)
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Jammu & Kashmir : How political uncertainty may affect security
Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd)
I remember watching a Newstrack video magazine report in 1989 in which the existence of a brooding network of local terrorists was denied very authoritatively. In less than six months Kashmir was in the initiation stage of what has turned out to be a 27 year long militancy/terror campaign which has seen dynamic ups and downs. Political stability then too was in the throes of uncertainty. By the time the internal proxy conflict sponsored from across the LoC was effective the self-belief in the local population was that secession from India was but a matter of time; the LoC was witness to mass movement akin to a highway and the Army was in no position to stop that.
Cut to 2016. The state of J&K is again without leadership and Governor’s rule is in place. There is no certainty of government formation for some time and the prolific media in Kashmir, in particular, is deep into analyzing the politics of coalition, potential splits in parties and agendas for government formation. There aren’t too many takers for analysis of the security environment although there is a piquant situation existing in the Valley especially in South Kashmir. Summer is upon us and with the tulips comes the energy of more strife. Where are we heading and what needs to be done. Time we paid some attention to that even as the political dynamics see one more round of negotiations in New Delhi.
The statistics of encounters in South Kashmir in recent months are leading to deductions of revival of a deadly brand of local militancy, fueled by public sentiment and led by youthful Kashmiri militants. However, it would be incorrect not to take note of the few Lashkar terrorists who have also been effective in encounters and whose deaths at the hands of the security forces have attracted as much public adulation. The return of negative public sentiment no doubt is indicative of resurgence of stamina and will which had petered out by 2010-11. So we are witnessing a risky strategy by the terrorist planners with open confrontation with security forces by mobs of men and women at encounter sites, followed by adulatory funeral processions to up the ante of anti-India sentiment. The JK Police is reported to be now carrying out quiet burials of Pakistani terrorists in faraway Uri.
At this stage a couple of observations as an avid Kashmir watcher with numerous young Kashmiri friends who interact and do so quite dispassionately. First, will North Kashmir remain a mute witness to the events in South and not erupt on its own into a fresh round of violence. In 2008 the Amarnath Shrine Board agitation was initiated mostly by mobs of Sopore, Pattan and Baramula. The 11 Aug 2011 Muzaffarabad march was again a North Kashmir oriented event which led to the killing of Sheikh Abdul Aziz. Has the Army been able to so effectively choke off the LoC that there are few prominent terrorist leaders left to fuel such a movement? While complimenting the Army’s effective counter infiltration grid there is no guarantee that infiltration will not occur. This summer there will be many more attempts and in larger numbers. There will be manipulation of an odd human rights violation in the Handwara belt and road blocks will then come up. An odd Army or BSF convoy will be targeted to instigate firing with loss of a few lives. That is enough to set the North on fire even as attempts are made to increase the strength of terrorists from across the LoC. Copycat youth leaders are probably waiting to follow the Burhan Wani example of South Kashmir to give militancy a new fillip. North Kashmir does not sit still; it is perhaps a shade more ebullient than the South.
The second observation relates to the situation since the last ‘mobocracy’ was witnessed in the streets in 2008-10. When I inquired from some local friends why Kashmir did not erupt in 2013 after the hanging of Afzal Guru and in fact went uncharacteristically quiet for some months, I was given a strange answer. It alluded to a belief that when the Kashmiri heart is deeply hurt it does not respond immediately; it seethes and collects emotions into a coil spring. This is then released unpredictably at a juncture when instigated. It is this unpredictability factor which is dangerous in a situation where political authority does not exist. It is being partially witnessed in South Kashmir and is yet to get to the hearts of the North Kashmiris; that it will is a matter of time.
Fortunately for the establishment the Hurriyat appears reasonably marginalized but its place appears to be taken by thus far unknown elements. It appears unlikely to be Pakistan oriented but I get regular reports of Friday sermons and unusual gatherings where none too friendly messages are delivered. Is it the Jamat in a more direct avatar? The Jamat in Kashmir is more South oriented being headquartered at Kulgam but its role in North Kashmir can also not be denied with Pattan, Handwara and Sopore all in its control.
Political activity which keeps restive populations engaged is negligible in the wake of turbulence in South Kashmir and the negotiations taking place in Delhi towards government formation. Even otherwise the level of political engagement by lawmakers with the people has traditionally been lower than all other areas of India because of the threats of militancy towards the political class. Political rallies have not yet yielded space to rabble rousing mosque based sermons but the populace is obviously getting bolder and it’s a matter of time before this too commences. Where will all this leave the security forces?
The 2008-10 experience shows that instigators work towards creation of triggers. The Army has the patience because it is not deliberately drawn into response. It is officer intensive in leadership and thus more held back. The CRPF which deals with mobs as first responder has its task cut out. Both forces have new challenges in South Kashmir and as the summer progresses will probably also have the same in the North, with mobs confronting and challenging them at encounter sites in urban areas. The Army and Police have both issued warnings against concentration of people at encounter sites but if the history of resistance is anything to go by these are likely to go unheeded. The sacrifice of a couple of lives in firing by security forces is the form of Intifada and suicide terror which forms a part of the strategy of the anti-national elements. Reports that intelligence from JK Police appears to be drying up do not appear true. The intelligence system of the Police with new ADG CID, Shiv Murari Sahai, Kashmir’s most experienced and effective Police officer, is meeting the challenge and in fact is under reinvention. The summer should probably see a revamped system which could well be more effective. It thus boils down to how the Army and CRPF along with the JK Police will respond to instigation at encounter sites. It is not a question of troops at the site itself being under challenge. Some months ago the ambulance vehicles carrying casualties of the Army’s Victor Force were obstructed at Pulwama. The Lidder Valley which has been quite for some time too has suffered a recent incident when the Army had to open fire somewhere near Aishmuqam.
The solution lies in engagement and that too visible one. To far away observers it would appear that the only way to counter this phase is by physical and kinetic means. That will not be helpful. In fact that is exactly how the instigators wish the security forces to respond just as in 2010. A government in place would help to a great extent and especially if the development agenda is pursued vigorously. In 2010 the Army displayed great patience with its officers reaching out to the local people and persuading many in rural areas from coming on to the main roads. It will need to sensitize its troops especially convoy commanders and small team leaders who sometimes unwittingly get caught in the middle of agitation.
Government formation is tricky business no doubt but a government in place will do much for Kashmir’s bleak security scenario. It is hoped that all that has been achieved by security forces led by the Army will not be sacrificed at the altar of political inexpedience. Time for politics will come again; for now the two largest parties need to shed differences and act. Mehbooba Mufti’s latest visit to Delhi and the positive meeting with the Prime Minister will hopefully manifest in a government soon. Grassroot political activity must return to J&K to offset any buildup of further turbulence towards a hot summer.
(From the author’s blog at IBNLive.com)
(The writer is a former GOC of the Chinar Corps and now a part of two major Delhi think tanks, Vivekanand International Foundation and Delhi Policy Group)
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
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Aus girl on terror charges ‘wanted to send USD 3,760 to IS’
SYDNEY, Mar 24: A 16-year-old Sydney schoolgirl facing terrorism financing charges was refused bail today as an Australian court heard she was allegedly plotting to send 5,000 Australian dollars (USD 3,760) to the Islamic State group.
The teenager, who cannot be named under Australian law due to her age, cried after a magistrate in a Sydney court said she was to be remanded in custody, local media reported.
She was arrested on Tuesday and later charged with one count of obtaining funds to, from or for a terrorist organisation, which carries a maximum penalty on conviction of 25 years in prison.
Prosecutors alleged the girl was handed 5,000 dollars in cash by a 20-year-old man named Milad Atai that she was meant to send to her relative, an alleged IS fighter.
The pair were seized by police shortly after the exchange, which had followed an extensive operation that included an informant posing as a young extremist, the court was told.
Magistrate Paula Russell said the case against the girl “appears to be a strong one” as she refused bail, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
“I am not of a view that the prosecution case is a weak one… On the contrary, it appears to be a strong one,” she told the court.
“I have not been satisfied exceptional circumstances exist… In that case bail is refused.”
The girl’s case and Atai’s, who has also been remanded in custody, is due back in court in May.
Canberra has been increasingly concerned about home-grown extremism and raised the terror threat alert level to high in September 2014.
Authorities have conducted a series of counter-terrorism raids in several cities and new national security laws have been passed.
Since September 2014, 14 people have been charged under Appleby, a rolling operation investigating people suspected of being involved in domestic acts of terrorism, Australians fighting in Syria and Iraq and the funding of terrorist organisations. (AGENCIES)
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Bill introduced in US Congress to help India join APEC
WASHINGTON, Mar 24: A group of influential American lawmakers have introduced a legislation asking the Obama administration to help India join the APEC forum, saying an economically prosperous India benefits the US’ strategic goals in Asia.
“Membership in APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) would provide India a constructive forum to glean insight from other Asian countries that have already taken significant steps to advance their economies,” Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific Matt Salmon, who introduced the legislation in the US Congress, said.
“Indian Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi is striving for major economic reforms to open India’s markets, improve trade volume, and facilitate his growing population’s need for continued job growth,” he said yesterday.
Salmon is joined by Congressman Ami Bera, the only Indian- American lawmaker in the current Congress, Co-Chair Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans; Ed Royce, Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee; Elliot Engel, Brad Sherman, George Holding, Derek Kilmer, Dana Rohrabacher and Scott DesJarlais.
Bera said that India is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies.
“An economically prosperous and regionally engaged India benefits the US’ strategic goals on Asia,” Bera said.
The legislation notes that the US-India partnership is vital to the US strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific region and across the globe, and is an integral aspect to the Administration’s Rebalance to Asia.
Observing that India enjoys a location within the Asia- Pacific region which provides an avenue for continued trade and investment partnerships with APEC member states, the legislation asks Secretary of State John Kerry to develop a strategy to obtain membership status for India in APEC, including participation in related meetings, working groups, activities and mechanisms.
It directs the Secretary of State to actively ask APEC member states to support such membership status for India and submit a report to the Congress within two months of the passage of this legislation.
Singapore-headquartered Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a forum for 21 economies to promote free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
The members are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the US and Vietnam. (PTI)
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Congo wants 20,000 cut from UN force, UN wants just 1,700
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 24: Congo’s foreign minister said the government has set a goal of cutting the 20,000-strong UN peacekeeping force in the country in half by the end of the year, a much more drastic cut than the 1,700-member reduction recommended by the UN secretary-general.
The mandate for the Congo peacekeeping force expires later this month and it will be up to the U.N. Security Council to decide on any cuts.
Foreign Minister Raymond Tshibanda told the council yesterday that cutting 10,000 peacekeepers is ambitious but he said Congo hopes it can be done “without affecting security or stability.”
The UN chief recommended a 1,700-member cut because of the fragile security situation in the country.
The Congo conflict is a spillover from the 1994 genocide in neighboring Rwanda. Hundreds of Hutus who participated in the mass slaughter escaped into Congo and still fight in the mineral-rich and volatile east, along with other armed groups.
In February 2013, the Congolese government and 10 other African nations including Rwanda and Uganda took the most concerted action to bring peace to Congo by signing an agreement not to interfere in each other’s internal affairs or host armed groups. The Security Council followed up by beefing up the UN force with an Intervention Brigade and authorizing the use of unarmed drones on a trial basis for intelligence gathering in the east.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned Monday of possible election-related violence in Congo, where a sharp increase in tribal and inter-ethnic conflicts have also been seen in recent months.
Congo is scheduled to hold elections in November but the opposition worries that President Joseph Kabila, meant to leave office in December, will postpone the election timeline to stay in power.
UN special envoy Maman Sidikou told the Security Council that “credible and meaningful political dialogue is needed to overcome the impasse in the electoral process.”
He urged UN support for a revision of the voters’ registry and said he counted on the council’s backing for the recommended 1,700-member cut in the U.N. Peacekeeping force, leading to its gradual and progressive exit from Congo.
In March 2015, the council reduced the force, known as MONUSCO, by 2,000 troops.
“We never asked for a hasty or disorderly exit of the peacekeepers,” Congo’s Tshibanda said in announcing the goal of halving the force, “but we are not willing to compromise on the sovereignty of our country.” (AGENCIES)
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Samsung to reform authoritarian culture to act like startup
SEOUL, Mar 24: Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest maker of phones, memory chips and television sets, plans to revamp its authoritarian, top-down corporate culture to become more like a lean startup as it copes with sluggish demand and growing competition.
The company said today its executives and workers pledged to reduce hierarchical practices, unnecessary meetings and excessive working hours in a “Startup Samsung” ceremony held today at its headquarters in Suwon, South Korea.
The first step in this new culture of flexibility? Requiring all its executives to sign a statement promising to scrap the company’s traditional authoritarian ways.
Samsung is searching for new business strategies as a father-to-son leadership transition looms. Lee Jae-yong, 48, is expected to succeed his ailing father, Lee Kun-hee, at a time when Samsung’s mainstay semiconductor and phone businesses face intensifying competition from Chinese rivals.
Samsung has its eye on expanding into health care and pharmaceuticals, but has responded slowly to hot Silicon Valley trends such as autonomous driving and artificial intelligence.
The company says it will announce in June how it plans to reorganise its workers and eliminate red tape. It said new vacation systems would allow employees to spend more time with their families and take breaks for self-improvement.
“By starting to reform the corporate culture, it means we will execute quickly, seek open communication culture and continue to innovate as a startup company,” Samsung said in a statement.
Samsung says it has been trying to reform its very Korean corporate culture to suit its identity as a global company and to answer criticisms that it stifles creativity and grassroots input from workers. Like most Korean companies, its management tends to mirror the authoritarian ways of South Korea’s past, when a military dictator ruled the country.
But analysts said Samsung faces a huge challenge in leveling a seniority-based corporate that is decades old. Some suggested the campaign also might be aimed at identifying underperforming workers and trimming the company’s managerial ranks to cut costs.
Samsung’s regimented, authoritarian ways may have helped it quickly catch up with Sony and other Japanese manufacturers, but they also have hindered recruitment of top talent. That has been a liability as the company competes with Silicon Valley firms that allow workers more independence and flexibility. (AGENCIES)
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US repatriates 58 Cuban migrants as immigration rises
MIAMI, Mar 24: The United States has repatriated 58 Cubans rescued from rafts while trying to reach American shores in dangerous waters, the US Coast Guard said.
They were part of a wave of migration from the communist island nation since the beginning of its rapprochement with the United States.
A Coast Guard patrol boat took the rafters to the Cuban village of Bahia de Cabanas, the agency said in a statement.
They were rescued in the Straits of Florida — the 90 miles (150 kilometers) of water separating the US state from Cuba — from seven different boats over the last week.
The Coast Guard has seen a spike in the number of Cubans arriving in the United States by land and sea since Washington and Havana announced they would begin normalizing relations in December 2014.
Cuban migrants who reach the United States are put on a fast track to residency and citizenship under a Cold War-era policy that many fear will be shelved as the two countries normalize relations.
US President Barack Obama’s historic visit to Cuba this week has helped seal the process.
“Immigration policies have not changed and we urge people not to take to the ocean in unseaworthy vessels,” Coast Guard Captain Mark Gordon said. “It is illegal and extremely dangerous.”
The Coast Guard rescued another 18 Cuban migrants with severe dehydration off Florida’s coast on Friday, although nine other members of their group died during the voyage.
More than 43,000 Cubans entered the United States by sea and land during fiscal year 2015 — which ended in September — a figure not seen for decades.
Some 2,562 Cubans have attempted to reach US shores on rafts since October 1, the Coast Guard estimates. (AGENCIES)
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Japanese aspiring jihadi detained in Turkey: official
ANKARA, Mar 24: A Turkish interior ministry official says police have detained a Japanese national as he tried to cross the border to Syria with the intention of joining Islamic State extremists.
The man was intercepted on his way to the IS-held Syrian town of Jarablus and is now in custody. The official told the AP he had a Japanese passport on him and told interrogators that he wanted to join IS.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government practice.
Japanese officials in Tokyo confirmed today that a Japanese national is being held and said they are seeking further details.
The state-run Anadolu Agency said the man is 24 and has the initials M.M. It said he contacted the group over social media.
Separately, five foreigners were arrested near the border as they tried to cross into Syria, according to a security source cited by Anadolu. (AGENCIES)
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Demonising Muslims can alienate partners in ISIS fight:Clinton
WASHINGTON, Mar 24: Criticising the Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz for their anti-Muslim rhetoric, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton has said demonising Muslims could alienate partners and undermine moderates needed to fight against ISIS.
“We need every American community invested in this fight, not fearful and sitting on the sidelines. So when Republican candidates like Ted Cruz call for treating American Muslims like criminals, and for racially profiling predominantly- Muslim neighbourhoods, it’s wrong, it’s counter-productive, it’s dangerous,” Clinton said in remarks at the prestigious Stanford University.
“As a spokesman for the New York Police Department pointed out last night, that kind of blanket bigotry would treat the city’s nearly 1,000 Muslim police officers as threats,” Clinton said.
“It’s hard to imagine a more incendiary, foolish statement,” the former Secretary of State quoted the spokesman as saying.
The 68-year-old Democratic party front-runner asserted that demonising Muslims also alienates partners and undermines moderates needed around the world in the fight against ISIS.
Noting that there has been a lot of talk from both Republicans and Democrats about the importance of building coalitions with Muslim nations, Clinton said, “Having actually done this, I can tell you, insulting allies and partners is not a good way to start.”
“Another thing we know that does not work, based on lots of empirical evidence, is torture. Many intelligence, military and law enforcement experts have attested to this fact. It also puts our own troops and increasingly our own civilians at greater risk,” she argued.
In her major policy speech on ISIS, Clinton criticised Trump’s recent remarks to review US policy on NATO.
“Turning our back on our alliances, or turning our alliance into a protection racket, would reverse decades of bipartisan American leadership and send a dangerous signal to friend and foe alike. Putin already hopes to divide Europe. If Mr Trump gets his way, it’ll be like Christmas in the Kremlin. It will make America less safe and the world more dangerous,” she said.
Clinton said in the struggle against ISIS, allies are needed as much as ever.
“We need them to be strong and engaged, for they are increasingly on the frontlines. London, Paris, Madrid, Brussels, Istanbul — they’ve all been hit by terrorism,” she said.
“So it’s essential that the US has strong partners who can work with it to disrupt plots and dismantle networks in their own countries before they lead to attacks in the United States,” she added. (PTI)
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US Navy ship missing for 95 years found near San Francisco
WASHINGTON, Mar 24: A US Navy ship that went missing 95 years ago with 56 aboard has been found off San Francisco, ending one of the biggest mysteries in US naval history, authorities have said.
The USS Conestoga tug boat, which disappeared on March 25, 1921 after departing San Francisco on its way to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, was the last US Navy ship to be lost in peacetime, the Navy and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration said in a joint statement.
“After nearly a century of ambiguity and a profound sense of loss, the Conestoga’s disappearance no longer is a mystery,” said Manson Brown, assistant secretary of commerce for environmental observation and prediction and deputy NOAA administrator.
The wreckage was initially detected in 2009 at a depth of 189 feet (58 meters) by a NOAA survey team working near the Farallon Islands, about 30 miles west of San Francisco.
The Conestoga wreckage, located three miles off Southeast Farallon Island in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, was positively identified in October 2015.
Experts believe the ship sank as its crew tried to reach a protected cove amid stormy weather.
The wreck is on the seabed and largely intact, although the wooden deck and other features have collapsed due to corrosion and age, the news release said. The hull is draped with anemones and various species of marine life are present at the site.
Video collected by remote controlled vehicles used to explore the wreckage revealed details consistent with the Conestoga, including the four-bladed propeller, steam engine and boilers, porthole locations, large towing winch with twisted wire on the drum and a 50-caliber gun mounted on the main deck.
No human remains were found but the wreckage is protected by a law prohibiting unauthorized disturbance of sunken military vessels and planes.
The Conestoga left San Francisco and headed to Pearl Harbor with a final destination of Tutuila in American Samoa.
Weather records showed that winds in the area about that time increased from 23 to 40 miles per hour (37 to 64 kilometers per hour), and the seas were rough with high waves.
When the ship didn’t arrive as scheduled at Pearl Harbor some 2,400 miles (3,860 kilometers) away, the Navy launched a massive sea and air search operation, but focused its efforts around Hawaii. (AGENCIES)
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Warmond acquires Julius Baer’s private wealth management biz
MUMBAI, Mar 24: In a first in the domestic private wealth management space, city-based Warmond Trustees & Executors has acquired the private wealth management business of Swiss major Julius Baer Trust Company for an undisclosed sum.
Warmond, which specialises in trusteeship, estate planning and e-wills, claimed this is the first acquisition in the domestic private wealth management space wherein a domestic firm is acquiring the business of a multi-national here.
Julius Baer came to the country some years back after acquiring private wealth business of erstwhile DSP Merrill Lynch Trust Services.
Under the deal, the asset under management of Julius Baer in the country will move to Warmond, but the investment platform will continue to be with the Swiss company, Warmond said.
While Julis Baer could not be reached, Warmond did not share the asset under management of both the companies as well as the deal value.
The deal also includes Warmond absorbing the key Julius Baer executives, including Anuradha Shah and Amit Pathak along with the team of erstwhile DSP Merrill Lynch Trust Services.
Warmond, which has pioneered the concept of electronic will-writing in the country since 2014, is promoted by the city-based law firm SNG Partners headed by Rajesh Narain Gupta, and is backed by NA Shah Associates, a full service boutique law firm.
The deal also involves Anuradha Shah and Amit Pathak taking a significant stake and key management positions in Warmond as chief executive and managing director, respectively, but Rajesh Gupta will continue to hold the majority stake. The NA Shah family will also continue to remain invested in the company, Warmond said.
Warmond has been in the estate planning business for about a decade helping HNIs set up private trusts and plan their succession and acts as a corporate trustee for them.
In addition to trusteeship, Warmond is also in will writing and executorship.
Warmond launched the pioneering online will writing called EzeeWill in collaboration with NSDL in late 2014, setting a new trend in the segment. (PTI)
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19-yr-old Indian held in US for improper entry
WASHINGTON, Mar 24: A 19-year-old Indian has been arrested in the US for entering America “without proper immigration inspection,” officials said.
Gurtej Singh faces up to six months in prison, a USD 5,000 (Rs 3.3 lakh) fine and deportation from the US, officials said yesterday.
He was arrested by agents of the US Border Patrol (USBP) in New York on Tuesday after getting information from Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police based on a tip-off from a local resident.
The US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York will criminally prosecute Singh under under charges of ‘Improper Entry by Alien’, a media release said.
Following his arrest, officials interviewed Singh, who was unable to produce any immigration documents that would allow him to enter or be present in the US.
Record checks said Singh has no immigration or criminal history in the US, a media release said.
“This is a great example of our integration with our state, local and tribal law enforcement partners.
“The quick response of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police kept this illegal alien from successfully entering the US without proper immigration inspection,” USBP Patrol Agent in Charge Wade A Laughman said. (PTI)
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Smoking burns Rs 1.04-tn hole in eco; WHO for large warnings
MUMBAI, Mar 24: The World Health Organisation has said the economic burden attributable to tobacco-related diseases is a staggering Rs 1,04,500 crore annually in the country and has pitched for large-size warnings on packs to control tobacco consumption in a cost-effective manner.
“The economic burden attributable to tobacco-related diseases is a staggering Rs 1,04,500 crore annually in the country, while human cost nearly a million deaths,” WHO representative in New Delhi Henk Bekedam said in a statement.
Calling for large and prominent health warnings on the packs of tobacco products, he said past experiences have shown that this is “a cost-effective means of increasing public awareness about the health effects of tobacco use and in reducing tobacco consumption”.
Besides, he termed the ongoing debate on reducing the size of warnings on tobacco products, especially on bidis and smokeless tobacco as “worrisome.”
India implemented Article 11 of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) a few years back, but is still not FCTC-compliant for this provision as the tobacco pack warnings occupy only 40 per cent of the principal display area only on one side of the pack – that makes up 20 per cent of the total display area of the pack.
The Supreme Court is hearing a bunch of petitions on ordering large size warnings on the packs.
In terms of the health warnings on tobacco products packages, the country fares very badly with a ranking of 136 out of 198 countries in the international status report on Cigarette Package Health Warnings 2014.
Countries ranked after 143 do not display pictorial health warnings at all.
He warned that “any reduction in the size of pack warnings will be a great setback for public health in the region, as neighboring countries, including Nepal (90 per cent), Thailand (85 per cent), Pakistan (85 per cent), Sri Lanka (80 per cent) and most recently Myanmar (75 per cent) have overcome similar challenges and notified large pictorial warnings”.
As per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey-India (GATS 2010) covering the age group 15 and above, 71 per cent of cigarette smokers notice health warnings on packages and 38 per cent think of quitting because of the warning label.
In case of bidi smokers, as many as 62 per cent of notice health warnings on the packs and 29 per cent think of quitting due to the warning.
When it comes to the consumers of smokeless tobaccos, 63 per cent of them notice health warnings on the package and 34 per cent think of quitting due to the warning label, he said. (PTI)
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Health Centers sans docs
Unwillingness of doctors to render service in rural areas of the State is a long standing problem that has defied solution. We have heard a lot about the government issuing warnings and threats to doctors that they would be dealt with according to the law if they refused and avoided posting to rural areas. Such threats have never yielded the desired result and the practice of leaving rural health centres and district hospitals starving for want of doctors, gynecologists, orthopedists and para-medical staff. Doctors use their political influence and lever to escape rural posting. Favouritism and nepotism are widespread in medical services and no action is taken against the defaulters.
The case of four hospitals including a Community Health Centre (CHC) and three Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Sogam Block in Kupwara District of North Kashmir is in sight. Reports are that 22 posts of Medical Officers (MOs) and specialists and 33 posts of paramedics are lying vacant in the Block Hospitals. Sources said only three ISM doctors are posted in Lalpora, Cheerkote and Tikipora PHCs respectively. Interestingly, in another PHC at Maidanpora of the Sogam, three doctors are posted. Sogam Block comprises 1.6 lakh population and no fewer than 144 deliveries were performed in one month. This has been done without facilities like X-ray labs, ECG machines and digital testing labs anywhere in these centres. Functionaries say that even if the hospital accessories were provided, these would be meaningless in absence of doctors, surgeons and Para medical staff. More disgusting is the situation that although ambulances are available in Cheerkote, Lalpora and Tikipora PHCs but there are no drivers and the ambulances remain unused. People of the area are very right in saying that these health centres have no utility for them because owing to crunch in medical staff, the patients are forced to go to either Kupwara district hospital or to Handwara hospital, which is far off and very cumbersome for the poor people of the area.
We implore the Health and Medical Education Department to take serious view of the situation and reverse the present position in the Block health centres and hospitals. Vacancies of doctors should be filled immediately and the Government has to take the responsibility of providing adequate medical facilities to the people. A campaign against nepotism and favouritism needs to be carried out against those showing reluctance in rendering service in rural areas.
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